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U.K. Seeks to Reassure Russia
On Backing of U.N. Resolution

By

Marc Champion Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Oct. 11, 2002 12:01 a.m. ET

MOSCOW -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Moscow in an effort to reassure Russian President Vladimir Putin that if he backs a United Nations "ultimatum" to Iraq, Russia won't suffer billions of dollars of lost contracts and unpaid debt.

Mr. Blair told reporters while flying to the Russian capital that he would make clear to President Putin that Britain was "sensitive" to the "very legitimate economic interests [Russia] has got because of outstanding contracts with Iraq." He was referring to about $7 billion of Soviet-era debt that remains unpaid by Iraq and to drilling contracts held by Russian oil companies that could be jeopardized by a change of regime in Baghdad.

There was, however, no "price tag" on the offer in return for Russia's acceptance of a U.N. resolution, Mr. Blair said, rebutting suggestions that Moscow's support might be bought, for example, by offering to waive part of the $17 billion in Russia foreign-debt repayments that come due in 2003.

Britain and the U.S. are backing a new U.N. resolution on Iraq that would spell out the unconditional terms under which Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein must readmit weapons inspectors and would authorize the use of force if he fails to comply. However, Russia, France and China -- the other three permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- have been reluctant to sign on to what they see as an ultimatum that would give the U.S. a free hand to invade Iraq.

Mr. Blair said he believes that a general consensus is emerging among European leaders that "one, Iraq has to be dealt with; two, the U.N. is the right route; and three, the U.N. has to be effective." He added, however, that the U.N. mustn't be used as an excuse to let the Iraqi issue "sink into the morass and disappear."

An adviser to the British prime minister said he believed that Russia's concerns about a tough policy on Iraq weren't insurmountable and that Mr. Putin could also be persuaded on board.

Mr. Blair declined to address the details of how a resolution acceptable to all sides might be worded. However, he spoke of a "U.N. resolution or resolutions," apparently leaving the way open for a French proposal to draft two resolutions: one demanding that Iraq admit the inspectors and give up its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and the other authorizing the use of force if he failed to comply.

Mr. Blair will spend Friday in talks with the Russian president at the Zavidovo presidential hunting reserve, 150 kilometers north of Moscow. Russia's continuing war in Chechnya and its concerns about Chechen rebels harbored in part of neighboring Georgia also will be on the agenda. Mr. Blair again emphasized Thursday that the West should understand Russia's concerns about the terrorist threat that it faces in Chechnya, where Moscow has been accused of violating human rights.

While he doesn't speak for Washington, which is driving the campaign against Iraq, Britain's Prime Minster has been influential in the diplomacy to build international support.

U.K. Seeks to Reassure Russia
On Backing of U.N. Resolution

MOSCOW -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Moscow in an effort to reassure Russian President Vladimir Putin that if he backs a United Nations &quot;ultimatum&quot; to Iraq, Russia won't suffer billions of dollars of lost contracts and unpaid debt.